Activists stage demonstration against Sen. Jackson
Adapted from reporting by Harry Langhorne
In response to Sen. Henry Jackson of Washington saying he did not want gay votes in his bid to become a presidential nominee, Gay Activists Alliance of Philadelphia staged a demonstration outside his campaign headquarters in the city.
About 30 gay men and women picketed and chanted while handing out leaflets to passersby.
City Councilman Louis Johanson, head of the Jackson campaign for the Philadelphia area, solidly bumped into several demonstrators as he made his way into the headquarters building during the April 23 protest. A plainclothes police officer from the Civil Disobedience Squad intervened in the incident.
Otherwise, the demonstration proceeded peacefully.
This was the second demonstration in the Philadelphia area against Jackson, a Democrat. Previously, gay student groups gathered at Bryn Mawr College to protest Jackson’s remarks on the campaign trail, including that gay people do not need job protections because they have their own “gay jobs” and should stick to themselves. Jackson also said that gay people would be the downfall of Western civilization.
March, rallies planned for Philadelphia Gay Pride Day
Adapted from reporting by John Parker
The fourth-annual Gay Pride Day was set to include a march starting in Rittenhouse Square June 12, 1976, followed by speeches and entertainment throughout the weekend.
Activities at Rittenhouse Square were scheduled to start at 3 p.m. with speakers including former Air Force T/Sgt. Leonard Matlovich and the Rev. Freda Smith.
Gov. Milton Shapp was to be represented by Tony Silvestre, who chaired the Governor’s Council for Sexual Minorities. Other activists expected to attend were Dr. Frank Kameny, Dave Kopay, Kate Millet and Rita Mae Brown.
A rally was scheduled to be held at the new Gay Community Center on Kater Street, and a Gay Pride Dance was to take place at Griffin Hall on 21st and Chestnut streets.
A Philadelphia coalition was also being organized to participate in the New York Christopher Street Liberation Day March on June 27.
— compiled by Paige Cooperstein